Write a sentence explaining the meaning of the slope and y-intercept for the given linear relation.

According to the Statistical Abstract of the United States, the number of crimes, C, reported since 1998 is given by the equation: C=31000-29t where t is in years.

A. What is the value and physical meaning of the slope?

I have "Reported crimes decreases to 2900 over the years".

B. What is the value and physical meaning of the y-intercept?

I have "Reported crimes in 1998 were 3100".

I am sure I am off by a lot, but any help with this is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

2 answers

the slope is -29 crimes per year
In other words the number of crimes decreases by 29 every year.

when t = 0, C = 31,000. That is the number of crimes when the equation started in 1998

I suspect the 31,000 is a typo as is the 29
3100 is correct, the typo is 2900. Thank you for helping.